HI!

Received this reply today:

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for your e-mail and inquiry.

We regret, however, the Konica mount lens is not compatible with Sigma SA series cameras. Sigma cameras are electronically controlled body, therefore, Konica mount lenses cannot be used.

Sincerely,

Sigma Corporation of America"

They might still fit non-electronically? tr.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Answers

Sigma/Konica mount & shutters

Hi,

Correct me if I'm wrong, I understood that in the early 80's Konica had in development an autofocus SLR which included a new lens mount system, to incorporate electronic controls for the lenses. This in essence would have abandoned the the K/AR mount we all know & love, much as Canon & Nikon and others have done in converting (painfully for their loyal users) to AF.

However, Konica decided not to continue producing SLRs. So they licensed or sold their lensmount design to Sigma (or perhaps Sigma was in partnership on the development and had rights to use it anyway). So the modern Sigma AF mount would not be compatible with the old K/AR lenses, but it is, in essence, a new Konica design.

There have been many partnerships/licensing agreements, etc. over the years between various camera & lens manufacturers.

With regard to earlier posting about shutters, yes, Konica was one of several key players in the development of the focal plane shutter in use today. ISTR they produced the first 1/1000 speed shutter, but it ended up being introduced to the world on a Nikon.

Alan Myers San Jose, Calif.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001